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Research
BCG-Induced Immune Training: Interplay between Trained Immunity and Emergency GranulopoiesisBacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the most commonly administered vaccine in human history. The medical application of BCG extends far beyond the fight against tuberculosis. Despite its stellar medical record over 100 years, insight into how BCG provides this vast range of benefits is largely limited, both for its pathogen-specific (tuberculosis) as well as pathogen-agnostic (other infections, autoimmunity, allergies, and cancer) effects.
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The influence of sunlight exposure and sun protecting behaviours on allergic outcomes in early childhoodThe dramatic rise in allergic disease has occurred in tandem with recent environmental changes and increasing indoor lifestyle culture. While multifactorial, one consistent allergy risk factor has been reduced sunlight exposure. However, vitamin D supplementation studies have been disappointing in preventing allergy, raising possible independent effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
Research
Intrauterine Growth Restriction Promotes Postnatal Airway Hyperresponsiveness Independent of Allergic DiseaseIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with asthma. Murine models of IUGR have altered airway responsiveness in the absence of any inflammatory exposure. Given that a primary feature of asthma is airway inflammation, IUGR-affected individuals may develop more substantial respiratory impairment if subsequently exposed to an allergen. This study used a maternal hypoxia-induced mouse model of IUGR to determine the combined effects of IUGR and allergy on airway responsiveness.
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Multiancestry association study identifies new asthma risk loci that colocalize with immune-cell enhancer marksWe identified new asthma loci, found new associations at loci implicated in the comorbidity of asthma plus hay fever and confirmed nine known loci.
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A case-crossover analysis of traffic-related air pollution and emergency department presentations for asthma in PerthTo determine whether changes in 24-hour average background ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulates < 10 μm (PM₁₀) increase the
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Does genetic regulation of IgE begin in utero?Elucidation of early life factors is critical to understand the development of allergic diseases, especially those manifesting in early life such as food allerg
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Modulation of the postnatal maturation of immune function during early life: studies on the effects of natural infections and exposure to the bacterial-derived immunoenhancer OM85Severe winter lower respiratory infections in early life are known to be major risk factors for subsequent development of asthma, and it is also known that the high susceptibility to these infections in infants is due to the functional immaturity of their immune systems.
Research
The role of bacterial infections during infancy in asthma developmentIn this project we are studying how interactions between bacteria and viruses in children's airways promote the development of allergy and asthma.
News & Events
The Kids researchers awarded Raine Medical Research Foundation fundingCongratulations to Dr Gail Alvares and Dr Rachel Foong, who have been awarded funding from the Raine Medical Research Foundation.
News & Events
National Asthma Week: 10 things you need to know about asthmaAsthma affects about half a million Australian children and is one of the most common reasons why kids need to see a doctor or go to emergency.